Siheyuan: the traditional Chinese courtyard house Flashcards
1
Q
What is a Siheyuan?
A
A type of courtyard architecture in Beijing, in which the courtyard is surrounded by buildings on all four sides
2
Q
What is a hutong?
A
Beijing name for ‘laneway’, that runs on an east-west axis, used for pedestrians
3
Q
Characteristics of the siheyuan
A
- Orthogonal planning - surrounded by other buildings on all four sides
- Exterior - decorated in red, green, grey
- Designed for privacy
- Interior
- Extensive use of screens - transition from public to private
- Very open, ‘soft’
- Inner gate decorated with lotus flower
- Several zones of privacy - four courtyards
- Transeasonal space - winter + summer bedroom
- Layout accords with social values + family dynamic